Tree Team

Plants Seed

Of Knowledge

PLANTATION — The city's tree team is bringing its enthusiasm about oaks, palms and tabebuias to the schools, with a lesson that gets youngsters interested in mulch and proper pruning.

The presentation, for groups of students at eight elementary and middle schools in the city, is courtesy of the city's landscape architecture staff. The program continues through Friday.

The programs are in conjunction with the city's arbor celebration, which includes a landscaping contest for businesses, condominiums and apartments.

The lesson plan for students is simple, and takes students outdoors without their textbooks.

"We are going to explore the wonders of trees," said Jeffrey Siegel, the city's landscape architect.

So far, those explorations have yielded captivated audiences.

"If you've got 25 kids and they are in a circle and they are asking questions and their eyes are sparkling and they are getting dirty, you know they are interested," said Dennis Yuzenas, sponsor of the EcoTeam club at Seminole Middle School.

The EcoTeam was among the groups that participated in the city's tree presentation. The students help plant three trees on campus. The Plantation Junior Woman's Club donated $500 to pay for trees at the eight schools.

"They loved it and they are so attached to their own tree," said Jennifer Narkier, a fourth-grade teacher at Peters Elementary School.

At some schools, the lesson includes a pruning demonstration by a city land scape worker wearing a hardhat and working with pruning tools.

The students learn that the proper method of pruning is essential to keep trees healthy and sturdy.

Also, the students take a nature walk around their campuses, identifying trees and learning about the birds and bugs they attract. "I thought it was really great. You can like use all the senses," said Stephanie Schnettler, 14, of Seminole Middle School. "You can smell that the tree has kind of sweet scent or you can feel a leaf and what its texture is."

Other students also said they liked the presentation.

"We learned there's more to school than like bookwork," said Danielle Schuster, 12, of Plantation Middle School. "You can get into a club. You can come here and help the school."